Bottlenecks at all major rail facilities in Chicago, Columbus, and Los Angeles have caused delays in picking up and delivering containers. Chicago’s rail facilities in particular are severely congested due to dwelling containers and a lack of available chassis. To alleviate congestion, some vendors have begun closing facilities for multiple days, implementing gate restrictions, or suspending lanes.
Norfolk Southern has recently put into effect a new rule in their tariff that states that any shipments arriving at a wheeled ramp where chassis are unavailable, free-time will be forfeited and the last free day (LFD) will be the same as the day of grounding. The rule was implemented due to the heavy congestion at NS destination ramps.
In addition, the temporary cancellation of rail service originating and trans-shipping in Chicago via Logistics Park Ramp, to the Ports of Long Beach/Los Angeles remains in effect. The hold impacts units moving in a major intermodal rail link in the United States. For Ramp and door moves returning to Logistics Park Chicago, including other inland origins that transit through this facility, there will be no receiving until October 22nd. As a result, no rail billing originating from Chicago, Cincinnati, Columbus, Detroit, Louisville, and Minneapolis to Long Beach will be issued during this time.
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